Do you do sports writing? Interested in boxing stories? Here’s a useful site for you

Question: What do James Braddock, Rocky Balboa, Oscar De La Hoya, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have in common?

Answer: They're all famous boxing sports stories which could have made -- or could make -- any of us a ton of money, although one is a fictional character.

Do you do sports writing? Are you making money at it? Are you a boxing fan? In recent years there has been a major interest in boxing stories. Sylvester Stallone turned Rocky Balboa into a multi-part legend that made him millions. As I understand it, he created Rocky and wrote the original story. (Anyone know for sure? Correct me on that if I'm wrong.) Ron Howard directed a successful film, "Cinderella Man," based on the life of boxer James Braddock.

Here's a website you might find useful if you're a boxing fan, "Team One Tickets and Sports Tours." Right now, the site is offering a sign-up email list for an "almost" certain Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Oscar De La Hoya boxing rematch expected in September. Granted, heavyweight bouts have gotten all the glamor in recent years -- probably due to the "Rocky" movies and the fame surrounding such names as Ali, Foreman, Tyson, Holyfield, etc. -- but there's tremendous hype regarding these two junior middleweight boxers. This is, so far, an almost ready fight, so Mayweather vs De La Hoya tickets aren't yet being sold. But according to some ESPN reports, it's just about certain to happen.

Their first bout, held last spring, set some box-office records, so the fight will likely happen. If you want tickets, check out the website.

If you aren't a boxing fan, certainly as a writer you need to take in a televised bout or two to see what all the fuss is about. Or maybe just rent the infamous "Rocky" movies.

And while we're on the subject, maybe a really ambitious writer would try to get with Mayweather and/or De La Hoya and find a way to make some money writing about ... Hmmm.

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